I have only purchased Chevron gas for the last 15 years. I don't like cheap gas! So...I always pay a lot because Chevron is usually THE MOST EXPENSIVE REGARDLESS OF THE AREA OR STATE.

That being said, we live 120 miles north of Sacramento, CA on I-5 and I pay $3.49 for Chevron REGULAR.

Chevron Premium is $3.59 and the "Supreme" is $3.69

I don't care what side of the political aisle you sit.....one thing is certain. ALL THE OIL COMPANIES AROUND THE GLOBE ARE PLAYING THE SAME GAME! The oil companies use the excuses (even though they are not lying) of "environmental blends", refinery holding capacity, turmoil in the Middle East, etc to spike the gas prices. Even though these excuses are legitimate, they use them to thier advantage. For example.....I read in the paper that this latest spike is due to "refinery shutdowns" causing lack of supply. I had to read down to the last paragraph to find out the "shutdown" was routine maintenance! So.....they shut down thier refineries for maintenace at the very beginning of the Memorial Day kickoff to summer! They cause a "shortage in supply" 1-2 WEEKS before everyone starts taking thier summer vacations and make more profits all the while saying it's not thier fault.

It is kinda like this to paraphrase...Say a friend calls you up late in the evening and wants you to give him a ride to the store for black licorice and dish soap. You really don't feel like going because you were looking forward to a "date" with your husband/wife after the kids are asleep. Instead of being confrontational or rude.....you simply say.."Sorry dude, my car isn't running!" and end the phone call. You lead your friend to BELIEVE your car isn't running properly, when in reality it CAN'T BE RUNNING BECAUSE THE KEYS ARE HANGING ON A HOOK BY THE DOOR! You didn't lie to your friend, but you didn't be honest either. You CREATED your own problem to reach a desireable effect without lying and got the benefits all the way around. This is what the oil companies do to use "commoners" in my opinion.

Anyway.......Gas is expensive here in California!......LOL

-Matt

Hey matt,

I like your analogy...good thinking there...thats the excuse I will use with my pesky neighbor the next time he wants something...oh yes...well, my care isn't working well right now...hee hee. Well, it would be a nice idea anyway...I don't do that so I guess I will be running out late at night for the black licorice and dish soap for him.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it, about the timing of maintenence. On the Today Show earlier this week, they interviewed an oil executive who said one of the big reasons was because some refineries and production plants were shut down for maintenence. The interviewer (I forget whom) point blank asked him why they couldn't do one at a time and pick a less busy season for travel to do the work. The exec hmmmed and hawwwed and said it was scheduled maintenence (go figure) and the work needed to be done, blah blah blah. At least he didn't lie, but he was rather evasive and never gave a direct response.

Having a hubbie who has been in the gasoline/oil business for 20+ years....I can say they probably do this "routine maintenance" to change the blends to add the required additives for the summer months. Also, remember that there hasn't been any new refiners built in 20 years - it's that not good for the environment and NOT in my back yard thing. Florida actually did a state gas tax holiday last year lowered the prices by about 50 cents....I wonder how much gas is with out the taxes for the state and federal gov. added?

Now, don't get me wrong....I drive a gas loving SUV and these prices hurt - I drive 50+ miles a day to get kids to school and back plus errands. I takes $60 to fill my tank . I don't like it but until we put our minds to it to find a better fuel solution(and I don't think corn is the answer - it is a food source and what if we had another dust bowl? Do we use it for fuel or food?) this is what we have.

Yes, we are looking at new cars. Smaller and cute and fun for my old age!!

Lawn Guy Land here... Gas was $3.25 when I went out yesterday. I basically gave up my Avon business as it wasn't profitable with the increase in postage to send the brochures and the gas hikes. Sad as I loved that business, but I will keep a few of my customers that I can't stand not seeing anymore.

I'll track the prices I find on my up and coming trip on the "Land Yacht".... looks to be a 5500 mile round trip from Hotlanta to LA by the way of Yellowstone and all points in between.... all in 3 weeks.

Oh! That's why. I just thought they had a lot more tax or something....

Here in Jacksonville, Fl its $3.01

Quick note. I live near a refinery (about 30 min) our refinery has been shut down the last few weeks for "repairs" and now it is back online and SUPRISE SUPRISE gas went up to 3.27 a gal now.

3.10 in Pennsylvania and 3.19 in Kansas

We just went from 2.83 to 2.95 per gallon of regular.

Are you guys kidding???!!! 3.79 for regular, 3.99 for medium, and 4.39 for premium here in orinda ca(near oakland)

George Bush today announced that the US is committed to reduce global warming.
We had that message some time ago from Tony Blair.
So look out for :-
Increased fuel costs!
Increased parking charges!
Congestion charging for major cities (it costs $16 to drive in London per day now)!
Extra Tax on non fuel efficient cars like 4X4's and large family saloons!
And a poor public transport system that cannot compete with the car!
Lanes on highways being dedicated to busses only to add to the misery of the motorist in cars and to add to the congestion!

You are just starting off along a road we have been traveling for some time now, and it ain't fun.

More money in the government coffers and less in your pocket. (just for a change)

Hmmm I kinda liked London's public transport system. Then again it was new to me and kind of a novelty.

Anyway I was down to a quarter tank today so thought I'd throw some in. I hit 30 bucks and some change and said forget this. Got in my car and it was still only 2/3 full. (normal boring family car sedan thingy) So here in the midwest it's 3.49 for the cheap stuff. I think (?) we're one of the higher taxed states if I remember correctly.